The congregation sang it as the preacher lined it out two lines at a time. When it was finished, then he opened the Bible and took his text. “Hold fast and repent!” He read it twice and closed the Book, then shut his eyes and prayed in silence before he asked the question:
“Does all o’ you members fast?” Throughout the church a solemn silence fell, then a great cry answered:
“Sho’! Sho’! Yes, suh.”
“You can not pray rightly without fasting.”
“No, suh! It’s de Gawd’s truth.”
“The longer you fast, the better you can repent!”
“Yes, brother! You right!”
“The longer you fast, the quicker your sins will be forgiven!”
“Praise His name! Hallelujah!” Leah led the women of the choir into a low humming tune.
“Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights!”